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Human Rights Watch has called for the prosecution of Yazidi fighters over their involvement in executing 52 civilians as part of an alleged revenge attack earlier this year.

“As the ground fighting against ISIS winds down in Iraq, state security forces need to turn their focus to preventing retaliation and upholding the rule of law,” said Lama Fakih, deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch. “Past atrocities against the Yezidis don’t give its armed forces a free pass to commit abuses against other groups, whatever their past.”

Speaking to The National. Belkis Wille, senior Iraq researcher at Human Rights Watch said, “For those units that have been abusive, there has to be some punishment for their behaviour- they can’t be allowed to continue to carry out their functions.”